High temperature flashpoint, stable cleaning composition

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an aqueous based micellar solution in the form of a microemulsion which is an effective all-purpose cleaner and which has a flashpoint in excess of its boiling point which is typically greater than 212 degrees Fahrenheit.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/881,251, filed on May11, 1992, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of applicationSer. No. 07/640,219, filed Jan. 11, 1991, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,112,516,issued May 12, 1992. A. Richard Koetzle for the invention entitled HighTemperature Flashpoint, Stable Cleaning Composition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many industrial process cleaning compositions have been based uponfluorinated and fluorinated/chlorinated solvents. As ecological concernshave risen in importance, the search for replacements for such cleanershas attained increased importance. Several requirements exist forreplacement cleaners including: cleaning efficacy, non-corrosiveness tometal parts, ease of use, and safety. Safety concerns raise severaldifferent requirements, including nontoxicity and high flashpoint. Todate, no replacement cleaner has attained these properties.

Terpene hydrocarbons have been used for some time in general purposecleaners, and in some specific formulations for specific industrialcleaning purposes, such as cleaning printed circuit boards or removal ofgraffiti. Those prior cleaners have relatively low flashpoints,typically well below their boiling point. Thus, basic problemsassociated with providing an effective and safe industrial cleaner havenot been considered or solved using terpene hydrocarbon based cleaningcompositions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an aqueous based micellar solution inthe form of a microemulsion which is an effective all-purpose solventand degreaser and which has a flashpoint in excess of its boiling point,typically greater than 212 degrees Fahrenheit.

A further aspect of the invention is a terpene hydrocarbon basedcleaning composition which is admixed with an organic solvent, or whichmay be admixed with an organic solvent. An additional aspect of theinvention involves the use of a terpene alcohol as a degreasing agentwithout requiring the solvents of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved cleaning composition whichprovides sufficient cleaning efficacy to be useful in many industrialapplications which presently rely on fluorinated orchlorinated/fluorinated solvents; and which has a flashpoint in excessof 200 degrees Fahrenheit. These improved cleaning compositionscomprise:

5 to 35 weight percent terpene alcohol which has no significant amountof alpha pinene and beta pinene; and from 1 to 35 weight percent of asurfactant or combination of surfactants.

The surfactant or combination of surfactants can comprise up to 35weight percent of the composition in total, and may be the combinationof two or more different types of surfactants. A typical combination maycomprise:

1.0 to 35 weight percent nonionic surfactant;

1.0 to 35 weight percent cationic, anionic or zwitterionic surfactantwherein both surfactant components do not include surfactants unreactedwith ethylene oxide components. It is important that any surfactant usedin the present invention not have free ethoxide components which arequite volatile and defeat the objective of obtaining a cleaningcomposition which is not combustible.

The compositions may also comprise from 0.1 to 25 weight percent terpenehydrocarbon which has been specially prepared so that no significantamount of alpha pinene or beta pinene are present in the terpenehydrocarbon component.

The compositions of the invention also include non-aqueous systemsemploying one or more organic solvents admixed with the terpenehydrocarbon.

The aqueous compositions are further characterized by being clearmicellar solutions which are stable to phase changes and dilutions.Repeated freeze/thaw cycle experiments establish that the presentcleaners do not break into two phase mixtures as many d-limonene basedsystems demonstrate. For instance, many terpene hydrocarbon/surfactantsystems are emulsion systems which will become cloudy upon dilution withregular water. In some limonene and surfactant based systems dilutioncauses the cleaning solution to gel. In automated cleaning processesthis can be a serious disadvantage as it may cause cleaning apparatus tofail, or the gels formed may not be removed from the article beingcleaned.

The cleaning compositions of the present invention may be in the form ofmicroemulsions. Microemulsions are two phase mixtures comprising an oilphase and a water phase. Regular emulsions appear cloudy or opaquebecause the size of the droplets of oil is larger than quarterwavelengths of white light, and thus scatter light rather than allowingit to pass through the mixture unscattered. Microemulsions have oildroplets less than about 10 microns in size and thus do not scatterlight. They appear clear. Furthermore, microemulsions tend to be muchmore stable than regular emulsions. True microemulsions are easier toform from their constituent components than regular emulsions.Typically, emulsions require special equipment in order to be formed,such as ultrasonic mixers or emulsifiers which produce tremendous shearforces. The compositions of the present invention require only standard,non-shear mixing apparatus to be produced.

For purposes of this application the term terpene hydrocarbon shall beunderstood to include all compounds of the general structure: ##STR1##which are monocyclic terpenes, and acyclic terpenes. The terpenehydrocarbons used in the present invention are derived from a number ofnatural sources. Typically, the terpene hydrocarbon is a blend ofnaturally occurring terpene compounds. These compounds include the classof mono- or sesquiterpenes and mixtures thereof and can be acyclic ormonocyclic in structure. Acyclic terpene hydrocarbons useful in thepresent invention include 2-methyl-6-methylene-2, 7-octadiene and 2,6-dimethyl-2, 4, 6-octadiene. Monocyclic terpene hydrocarbons includeterpinene, terpinolene and limonene classes and dipentene. While theexamples provided here employ naturally occurring mixtures of thesecompounds, it is understood that pure samples of these compounds couldbe employed as well. When refined samples of naturally occurring terpenehydrocarbons are employed care must be taken to insure that nosignificant amount of alpha or beta pinene are present, or that anyalpha or beta pinene are removed by means of distillation or filtering.

Specifically excluded from the term "terpene hydrocarbon" are bicyclicterpenes which include alpha and beta pinene, and terpene alcohols.

The term "terpene alcohol" is understood for purposes of the presentinvention to encompass compounds of the formulae: ##STR2## which aremonocyclic, bicyclic and acyclic alcohols, respectively. Terpenealcohols are structurally similar to terpene hydrocarbons except thatthe structures also include some hydroxy functionality. They can beprimary, secondary, or tertiary alcohol derivatives of monocyclic,bicyclic or acyclic terpenes as well as the above. Such tertiaryalcohols include terpineol which is usually sold commercially as amixture of alpha, beta, and gamma isomers. Linalool is also acommercially available tertiary terpene alcohol. Secondary alcoholsinclude borneol, and primary terpene alcohols include geraniol. Terpenealcohols are generally available through commercial sources, however,one must take care in practicing this invention to insure that nosignificant amount of alpha pinene or beta pinene are present in theterpene alcohol source, or that care is taken to remove such pinenes.

As used herein, the term "no significant amount" of alpha pinene andbeta pinene means a terpene hydrocarbon in which the quantity of alphapinene or beta pinene present is insufficient to cause the flashpoint ofthe terpene hydrocarbon to be significantly below its boiling point. Iestimate that the alpha pinene and beta pinene volume percentage in theraw alcohol should be less than about 0.5%, because otherwise a suddenand significant decrease in the flashpoint will be experienced.

Examples of nonionic surfactants which are employed include propyleneoxide or ethylene oxide condensation products of higher aliphaticalcohols, alkyl phenols, carboxylic acids, amides, amines andsulphonamides. These well-known surfactants include the sorbitan estersof fatty acids having 10 to 22 carbon atoms; polyoxyethylene sorbitanesters of C10 to C22 fatty acids having up to 95 percent propyleneoxide; polyoxyethylene sorbitol esters of C10 to C22 fatty acids,polyoxyethylene derivatives of fatty phenols having 6 to 20 carbon atomsand up to 95 percent propylene oxide; fatty amino and amido betaineshaving 10 to 22 carbon atoms; polyoxyethylene condensates of C10 to C22fatty acids or fatty alcohols having up to 95 percent propylene oxide.Polyoxyethylene and polyoxypropylene analogs of the above surfactantscan be used in the present invention as long as care is taken to insurethat polyoxyethylene polymers or polyoxypropylene polymers which havenot been completely reacted with the fatty acid portion of thesurfactant. Most importantly, volatile oligomeric fractions must beabsent from the surfactants used in the present invention. A convenientway this goal can be accomplished is by using oxypropylene analogs ofthe above mentioned species of surfactants where feasible.

Ionic surfactants employed include surfactants such as the alkylarylsulfonates of 6 to 20 carbons in the alkyl group; C10 to C22 fatty acidsoaps; C10 to C22 fatty sulfates; C10 to C22 alkyl sulfonates; alkalimetal salts of dialkyl sulfosuccinates; C10 to C22 fatty amine oxides;fatty imidazolines of C6 to C20 carbon atoms; fatty amido sulfobetaineshaving 10 to 22 carbon atoms; quaternary surfactants such as the fattyammonium compounds having 10 to 22 carbon atoms; C10 to C22 fattymorpholine oxides; alkali metal salts of carboxylated ethoxylated C10 toC22 alcohols having up to 95 percent propylene oxide; propylene oxidecondensates of C10 to C22 fatty acid monoesters of glycerins having upto 95 percent of propylene oxide; the mono- or diethanol amides of C10to C22 fatty acids; and alkoxylated siloxane surfactants containingpropylene oxide units and/or propylene oxide units; and phosphateesters, etc.

As is well-known in the field of surfactants, the counter ion in thecase of anionic surfactants may be any of the alkali metals, ammonia, orsubstituted ammonias such as trimethylamine or triethanol amine. Usuallyammonium, sodium and potassium are preferred. In the case of cationicsurfactants, the counter ion is usually a halide, sulfate, ormethosulfate, the chlorides being the most common industrially availablecompounds. The foregoing compounds have been described with particularreference to fatty derivatives. It is the fatty moiety usually formingthe lipophilic moiety. A common fatty group is an alkyl group of naturalor synthetic origin.

In most instances, the alkyl group may be replaced by the correspondingethylenically saturated group having one or more ethylene linkages suchas commonly occurs in nature. Common unsaturated groups are oleyl,linoleyl, decenyl, hexadecenyl, dodecenyl, etc. In appropriate cases, asknown in the art, the alkyl group may be cyclic, i.e., cycloalkyls, ormay be straight or branched chain. Other suitable surfactants includesorbitol monolaurate-propylene oxide condensates; sorbitolmonomyristate-propylene oxide condensates; sorbitolmonostearate-propylene oxide condensates; dodecylphenol-propylene oxidecondensates; myristylphenol-propylene oxide condensates;octylphenyl-propylene oxide condensates; nonylphenyl-propylene oxidecondensates; stearylphenol-propylene oxide condensates; laurylalcohol-propylene oxide condensates; stearyl alcohol-propylene oxidecondensates; secondary alcohol-propylene oxide condensates such asC14-C15 secondary alcohols condensed with propylene oxide; decyl aminobetaine; coco amido sulfobetaine; oleyl amido betaine; coco imidazoline;coco sulfoimidazoline; cetyl imidazoline; 1-hydroxyethyl-2-heptadecenylimidazoline; 1-hydroxyethyl-2-mixed heptadecenyl heptadecadienylimidazoline; n-coco morpholine oxide; decyl dimethyl amine oxide; cocoamido dimethyl amine oxide; sorbitan tristearate condensed withpropylene oxide; sorbitan trioleate condensed with propylene oxide;sorbitan trioleate; sodium or potassium dodecyl sulfate; sodium orpotassium stearyl sulfate; sodium or potassium dodecyl benzenesulfonate; sodium or potassium stearyl sulfonate; triethanol amine saltof dodecyl sulfate; trimethyl dodecyl ammonium chloride; trimethylstearyl ammonium methosulfate; sodium laurate; sodium or potassiummyristate; and sodium or potassium stearate.

Optionally, the cleaning compositions of the present invention may alsoinclude a suitable solvent for specific cleaning purposes. Such solventsinclude n-methyl pyrrolidone, dipropylene glycol and ethylene glycolmonobutyl ether.

All of the chemical components used in the present invention arecommercially available.

EXAMPLES

The following examples illustrate certain aspects of the presentinvention. They are not intended to exemplify the full scope of theinvention. In certain aspects they enable certain aspects of theinvention.

Example 1

The following ingredients in the following proportions were combined andmixed:

    ______________________________________                                        Ingredient        Volume   Wt. %                                              ______________________________________                                        H.sub.2 O         175      35.0                                               monoethanolamine  7.5      1.5                                                dodecylbenzene    13.0     2.6                                                sulfonic acid                                                                 nonylphenoxy      38.5     7.7                                                polyethoxy ethanol                                                            dipropylene glycol                                                                              38.5     7.7                                                sodium xylene     11.5     2.3                                                sulfonate                                                                     e.d.t.a.          4.0      0.8                                                terpeniol         62.0     12.4                                               assorted terpene  35.0     7.0                                                alcohols                                                                      n-methyl pyrrolidone                                                                            115      23.0                                                                          100.0%                                             ______________________________________                                    

The combination was clear and stable. When tested it exhibited aflashpoint in excess of 212 degrees Fahrenheit. In fact, it exhibited noflashpoint below the boiling point of the composition.

Example 2

A mixture of the following components:

    ______________________________________                                        Ingredient        Volume   Wt. %                                              ______________________________________                                        H.sub.2 O         545      54.2                                               monoethanolamine  20       2.0                                                dodecylbenzene    35.0     3.5                                                sulfonic acid                                                                 nonylphenoxy      100      10.0                                               polyethoxy ethanol                                                            terpeniol         93.0     9.3                                                assorted terpene  52.5     6.0                                                alcohols                                                                      n-methyl pyrrolidone                                                                            150      15.0                                               ______________________________________                                    

The components formed a clear microemulsion with mixing. The compositionhad a flashpoint in excess of 212 degrees Fahrenheit.

Example 3

    ______________________________________                                        Ingredient        Volume   Wt. %                                              ______________________________________                                        terpeniol         200      33.33                                              n-methyl pyrrolidone                                                                            200      33.33                                              dipropylene glycol                                                                              200      33.33                                              ______________________________________                                    

This clear mixture was clear, stable and had a flashpoint in excess of212 degrees Fahrenheit.

Example 4

Another sample was made with the following composition:

    ______________________________________                                        Ingredient        Volume (ml)                                                                              Wt. %                                            ______________________________________                                        H.sub.2 O         470        47.0                                             dodecyl benzene sulfonic                                                                        35.5       3.5                                              acid                                                                          ethylene glycol monobutyl                                                                       100        10.0                                             ether (EB)                                                                    Rexol 25/10       100        10.0                                             sodium xylene sulfonate                                                                         30         3.0                                              e.d.t.a.          10         1.0                                              terpeniol         250        25.0                                             1 N NaOH          4.5        0.5                                                                           100.0%                                           ______________________________________                                    

The solution was adjusted to a pH between about 6 and 8. This solutionwas clear and stable. The solution did not flash below its boilingpoint.

Examples 5-7

Clear stable microemulsions of the following formulations were made, allof which displayed flashpoints in excess of 212 degrees Fahrenheit.

Example 5

    ______________________________________                                        Ingredient        Volume (ml)                                                                              Wt. %                                            ______________________________________                                        H.sub.2 O         415        41.5                                             monoethanolamine  15         1.5                                              dodecylbenzene sulfonic                                                                         26         2.6                                              acid                                                                          nonylphenoxy polyethoxy                                                                         77         7.7                                              ethanol                                                                       dipropylene glycol                                                                              77         7.7                                              sodium xylene sulfonate                                                                         30         3.0                                              ethylene diamine  10         1.0                                              tetraacetic acid                                                              terpeniol         250        25.0                                             n-methyl pyrrolidone                                                                            100        10.0                                             ______________________________________                                    

Example 6

    ______________________________________                                        Ingredient        Volume (ml)                                                                              Wt. %                                            ______________________________________                                        H.sub.2 O         545        54.5                                             monoethanolamine  15         1.5                                              dodecylbenzene sulfonic                                                                         26         2.6                                              acid                                                                          sodium metasilicate                                                                             10         1.0                                              nonylphenoxy polyethoxy                                                                         77         7.7                                              ethanol                                                                       dipropylene glycol                                                                              77         7.7                                              sodium xylene sulfonate                                                                         30         3.0                                              ethylene diamine  10         1.0                                              tetraacetic acid                                                              terpeniol         150        15.0                                             n-methyl pyrrolidone                                                                            50         5.0                                              ______________________________________                                    

Example 7

    ______________________________________                                        Ingredient        Volume (ml)                                                                              Wt. %                                            ______________________________________                                        H.sub.2 O         495        49.5                                             monoethanolamine  15         1.5                                              dodecylbenzene sulfonic                                                                         26         2.6                                              acid                                                                          sodium metasilicate                                                                             10         1.0                                              nonylphenoxy polyethoxy                                                                         77         7.7                                              ethanol                                                                       ______________________________________                                    

    ______________________________________                                        Ingredient        Volume (ml)                                                                              Wt. %                                            ______________________________________                                        dipropylene glycol                                                                              77         7.7                                              sodium xylene sulfonate                                                                         30         3.0                                              ethylene diamine  10         1.0                                              tetraacetic acid                                                              terpeniol         200        20.0                                             n-methyl pyrrolidone                                                                            50         5.0                                              ______________________________________                                    

The preceding Examples 1-7 were directed principally to aqueous basedcleaning compositions. These compositions are environmentally improvedover prior cleaning compositions because the terpene hydrocarbons arenaturally occurring materials which are biodegradable. Particularlyapplications, however, may not be practical for use with an aqueoussystem and I have therefore developed a composition utilizing watermiscible organic solvents in admixture with the terpene hydrocarbon.

I prefer that the organic solvents be water miscible in order tofacilitate the cleaning of spills, and to minimize the possiblecontamination to ground water supplies in the event of a spill orleakage. Furthermore, because the solvents and the terpene hydrocarbonare water miscible, then the cleaning composition may be produced so asto be mixed with water by the user.

A preferred terpene hydrocarbon is produced by Technical Ltd. ofAnacortes, Washington. The terpene alcohol had a product name of TerpeneAlcohols 95%, and had the following analysis by gas liquidchromatography:

    ______________________________________                                        Alpha fenchone    2.1%                                                        Terpinen-4-OL     1.0%                                                        Cis-beta-terpineol                                                                              1.9%                                                        Isoborneol        0.6%                                                        Trans-beta terpineol                                                                            1.4%                                                        Alpha terpineol   91.4%                                                       Total terpene alcohols                                                                          98.8%                                                       ______________________________________                                    

I have found that commercially available terpene alcohols actually are amixture of various alcohols. The alcohol types and percentages may alsobe related to the starting composition from which the alcohol isproduced. Many terpene alcohols are produced from wood waste and I havefound, for example, that the terpene hydrocarbon produced from treesoriginating in Brazil have a lower concentration of the alpha and/orbeta pinenes than those originating in Florida.

Formulation of the composition as set out in Example 1 with theabove-identified Tecnal Ltd. material resulted in a cleaning compositionwith a flashpoint above the boiling point of 220° F. The flashpoint testwas based upon the closed cup method recommended by the Department ofTransportation at 49 Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter I,§173.115(d)(i)(A). Formulation into an organic composition as set forthbelow in Example 8 resulted in a composition with a flashpoint of 207°F. and a Kb value in excess of 500.

I have found that terpene alcohols containing 95% to 100% terpenealcohol, when substantially free of the alpha and beta pinenes or otherimpurities adversely affecting the flashpoint, can be formulated toproduce a terpene based solvent as a microemulsion or an organic solventblend having flashpoints in excess of 200° F. and with very low traceodor. The odor of prior terpene compositions was quite distinctive,required ventilation, and adversely impacted use of those formulations.The disclosed formulations exhibit little or none of the trace odor. Inaddition, because the flashpoint of the disclosed compositions exceed200° F. then they may be safely transported and landfilled.

The purified terpene alcohols may be blended in any proportion withother solvents, diluents, and thinners to produce a non-aqueous solventblend which has a flashpoint in excess of 200° F. and a faint low ortrace terpene odor. Solvent blends may be developed with specificproperties based upon specific applications. Suitable organic solventsinclude mineral based oil, tridecyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, propyleneglycol, diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, triethylene glycol,tripopylene glycol, glycerine, monoethanolamine, monoisopropanolamine,diethanolamine, triethanolamine, di-tri-isopropanolamine, dibasic ester,glycol ether acetate DE, glycol ether acetate DB, isophorone, glycolethers and n-methyl pyrrolidone.

Example 8

    ______________________________________                                        Ingredient        Volume %                                                    ______________________________________                                        N-methyl pyrrolidone                                                                            33.3%                                                       Dipropylene glycol                                                                              33.3%                                                       Terpene alcohol   33.3%                                                       ______________________________________                                    

The composition of Example 8 had a flashpoint in excess of 207° F., andexhibited little of the distinctive terpene odor. The composition ofExample 8 utilized the Tecnal Ltd. alcohol as the terpene alcohol.

Example 9

    ______________________________________                                        Ingredient        Volume %                                                    ______________________________________                                        n-methyl pyrrolidone                                                                            33.3%                                                       Dipropylene glycol                                                                              33.3%                                                       Glidcol 95 (terpene                                                                             33.3%                                                       hydrocarbon)                                                                  ______________________________________                                    

Glidcol 95 is a commercially available terpene alcohol sold by GlidcoChemical. Glibcol 95 contains alpha terpinene, among other terpenehydrocarbons and terpene alcohols, and exhibits a flashpoint of between180° F. and 195° F. depending upon the volatile impurities present. Theflashpoint of Glidcol 95 may be increased to over 212° F. by increasingthe temperature of the product to 200° F. for approximately five (5)minutes, sufficient time for the volatile impurities, including thealpha and beta pinenes, to be driven off. Example 9 was allowed to sitfor more than six (6) months, and even then exhibited a flashpoint inexcess of 212° F.

Commercially available terpene alcohols may contain a significant amountof terpene hydrocarbon impurities. The impurities include not only thealpha and beta pinenes, but also limonene, dipentene, terpinene,terpinolene, menthere, myrcene, sabinene, oneimene, thellandrene andmixtures thereof. The compositions of the invention require that theterpene hydrocarbon have no significant amount of these impurities, sothat the flashpoint is high and there is little or no trace odor.

In the event a solvent formulation is used, such as Example 8, then Iprefer that the solvents likewise have a relatively high flashpoint.According to the Condensed Chemical Dictionary, 1956 Edition, ReinholdPublishing Company, n-methyl pyrrolidone has a flashpoint of 204° F. anddipropylene glycol has a flashpoint of 280° F.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the terpene alcohols maythemselves be used to remove grease and other contaminants from variousmaterials, such as steel. The terpene alcohol, without solvents andsurfactants, may be contained within a tank into which the material tobe cleaned is placed. Heating of the terpene alcohol may not be needed,depending upon the application, although because of the high flashpoint,heating may be useful. Should the terpene alcohol bath become tooconcentrated with dissolved grease, then the bath may be disposed of orthe grease separated from the alcohol by various means, includingmembrane filtration.

While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, itis understood that it is capable of further modifications, uses and/oradaptations of the invention, following the general principle of theinvention and including such departures from the present disclosure hascome within known or customary practice in the art to which theinvention pertains, and as may be applied to the central featureshereinbefore set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention ofthe limits of the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A non-combustible solvent composition comprised of:a) atleast a first solvent other than terpineol having a flashpoint in excessof 200° F; and b) admixed with said first solvent an effective amountfor solvent purposes of terpineol containing no significant amount ofalpha and beta pinene wherein the flashpoint of said terpineol is atleast about 212° F.
 2. The composition of claim 1 wherein:a) said firstsolvent is miscible in water.
 3. The composition of claim 1, wherein:a)a second solvent other than terpineol or said first solvent having aflashpoint in excess of 200° F. is admixed with said terpineol.
 4. Thecomposition of claim 3 wherein:a) each of said first and second solventsis soluble in water.
 5. The composition of claim 3 wherein:a) each ofsaid first and second solvents is an organic material.
 6. Thecomposition of claim 5 wherein:a) one of said solvents is n-methylpyrrolidone and the other of said solvents is dipropylene glycol.
 7. Thecomposition of claim 3 wherein:a) said first and second solvents andsaid terpineol are each present in the composition in equal volumepercentages.
 8. The composition of claim 1, wherein:a) said terpineolhas been devolatized by heating to and being maintained for a sufficienttime at a temperature sufficient to drive off any significant amount ofalpha and beta pinene.
 9. A non-combustible industrial solvent,comprising:a) first and second organic solvents, other than terpineoleach said organic solvent having a flashpoint in excess of 200° F.; andb) an effective amount for solvent purposes of terpineol admixed withsaid solvents and containing no significant amount of alpha and betapinenes so that the flashpoint of said terpineol is at least about 212°F.
 10. An industrial solvent of claim 9, wherein:a) each of said organicsolvents is miscible in water.
 11. An industrial solvent of claim 9,wherein:a) there is an equal volume percentage of each of said organicsolvents in the non-combustible industrial solvent.
 12. An industrialsolvent of claim 11, wherein:a) each of said organic solvents arepresent in the non-combustible industrial solvent in a volume percentageequal to the volume percentage of said terpineol.
 13. An industrialsolvent of claim 9, wherein:a) said terpineol contains from about 95% byvolume to about 100% by volume of said terpineol.
 14. An industrialsolvent of claim 9, wherein:a) said first solvent is n-methylpyrrolidone and said second solvent is dipropylene glycol.
 15. A highflashpoint water soluble composition, comprising:a) a solvent systemother than terpineol miscible in water and having a flashpoint in excessof 200° F.; and b) an effective amount for solvent purposes of terpineolcontaining no significant amount of alpha and beta pinenes and having aflashpoint of at least about 212° F.
 16. A water soluble composition ofclaim 15, wherein:a) said solvent system comprises a blend of at leasttwo organic solvents.
 17. A water soluble composition of claim 16,wherein:a) each of said solvents is present in a volume percentage equalto the volume percentage of said terpineol.
 18. A water solublecomposition of claim 17, wherein:a) one of said solvents is n-methylpyrrolidone and the other of said solvents is dipropylene glycol.
 19. Amethod of removing grease and soluble contaminants from articles,comprising the steps of:a) providing an article having a contaminantthereon; and b) removing the contaminant by applying to the contaminanta sufficient quantity of a terpineol which has no significant amount ofalpha and beta pinene so that the flashpoint of said terpineol is atleast about 212° F.